Carton dispenser having elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge



3,281,036 LANK 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 25, 1966 G. v. wooDLING' CARTON DISPENSER HAVING ELONGATED B PAPERBOARD DISPENSIN ED Filed Sept. 20, 1965 G GE FIG.2

2 2"/FIG.5

FIG.3

afa

INVENTOR. GEORGE V. WOODLING 25 BY@ ,IC/urli,

,3| /ae ,al /41 ,al /48 3| ze 2s ze FlG FIG." FIG.8

Flc-.9 M M w' Oct. 25, 1966 G. v. wooDLlNG CARTON DISPENSER HAVING ELONGATED BLANK PAPERBOARD DISPENSING EDGE 2 Sheets-Sheet z Filed sept. 20. 1965 FIG. IO

wif

FIGJZ United States Patent O i 3,281,036 CARTON DISPENSER HAVING ELONGATED BLANK PAPERBOARD DISPENSING EDGE George V. Woodling, 22077 W. Lake Road, Rocky River, hio Filed Sept. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 488,583 5 Claims. (Cl. 22S-49) My invention relates to a carton dispenser having an elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge to facilitate an operation of tearing a sheet of material from the fre-e end portion of a strip of material wound on a supply roll mounted within the carton dispenser.

In this application, the term blank which is used to describe the paperboard dispensing edge is employed in the sense that the usual elongated metal tear-edge means which is mounted along the dispensing edge of a carton dispenser is eliminated in the present dispenser, leaving only the barren paperboard dispensing edge.

When a sheet of material is torn from the free end portion of a strip of material Wound on the supply roll, the tearing operation leaves a torn edge which constitutes the beginning of a next advanced free end portion. My invention particularly is useful in dispensing aluminum foil and waxed paper :and other thin sheets of Wrapping material having a tearing characteristic similar to that of aluminum foil and waxed paper. Preferably, my invention may be embodied in a hand-held carton dispenser made of paperboard. In this application, the new free end portion of the strip which presents itself after each sheet has been torn from the strip will be referred to as the next advanced free end portion.

There are many different types of hand-held carton `dispensers on the market, but all of them have their shortcomings. In these hand-held dispensers, most attention has been directe-d to the ease with which the carton may be initially opened. On the other hand, very little attention has been given to the ease with which the strip of material may be dispensed into sheets after the carton is once opened. Each time a new sheet is dispensed, the housewife has to pick around in order to get hold of the next advanced free end portion of the strip for the next dispensing operation.

An object of my invention is the provision of a carton dispenser whereby the next advanced free end portion of the strip readily and automatically presents itself for easy grasping in starting the next dispensing operation.

Another object is the provision of a carton dispenser having an elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge.

Another object is the provision of a start-tear means at each end of the elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge to facilitate at least the initiation of the tearing operation.

Another object is the provision whereby the start-tear means may comprise notch means, staple means, abrasive-glue means, or a short section of a conventional metal tear-tooth strip.

Another object is to take advantage of the resilient tendencies and behavior of the strip of material being dispensed, as well as that of the paperboard from which the hand-held dispensers are made.

Another object is the provision of a dispenser by which nature aids in the dispensing operation rather than working against the operation.

Another object is the provision of a carton `dispenser having an elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge of double thickness formed by folding two adjacent panels in face-to-face relationship with respect t-o each other.

Another object is the provision wherein one of the folded adjacent panels comprises a side panel and the other comprises either a lid panel or a truss panel extend- Patented Oct. 25, 1966 ICC ing within the box and disposed to engage a side of the supply roll, whereby after a sheet has been torn off, the new next advanced free end portion of the strip will automatically present itself for easy grasping in starting the next dispensing operation.

Another object is the provision of a carton dispenser wherein the free end portion of the strip of material may leave the supply roll either from the top thereof or from a side thereof next adjacent to a side panel or to a truss panel.

Another object is to provide for stiffening or reinforcing the elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge whereby it is less likely to bow or flex outwardly -during the operation of tearing off a sheet of material.

Other objects an-d a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of my carton dispenser showing the flange panel which is hingedly connected to the lid panel, the `dotted circles representing the glue spots which are provided on the underneath side of the flange panel and which are disposed to be easily separated upon initially opening the carton;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a paperboard blank from which my carton dispenser in FIGURE 1 may be constructed, the view being substantially one-half scale;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 3 3 of FIGURE 1 showing the lid panel in its closed position with the fiange panel disposed (spot-glued) against the outer surface of the front panel (being the condition in which the supply roll is shipped), the view being substantially full-scale or twice the scale of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view with the lid panel and the flange panel reversibly folded respectively against the rear panel and the bottom panel of the box, showing the withdrawn free end portion of the strip of material leaving the supply roll from a side thereof next adjacent to the rear panel and passing over the blank paperboard dispensing edge preparatory to its being torn off;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 4, but showing the free end portion of the strip of material leaving from the top of the supply roll;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary upper end corner of the lid panel in its reversibly folded -dispensing position as viewed from the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4 and illustrating the start-tear means as comprising a paperboard starttear notch;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary View similar to FIGURE 6 showing a modified start-tear means as comprising a short section of a metal tear-tooth strip;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view of a further modified start-tear means as comprising van abrasive-glue -area extending over and `about the blank paperboard dispensing edge;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of a still further modified start-tear means as comprising 'a metal staple;

FIGURE 10 is a front view of a modified carton dispenser, the View being similar to FIGURE l and being substantially one-half scale, a portion at each end of the box being also broken away to show a paperboard starttear notch which facilitates at least the initiation of the tearing operation;

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of a paperboard blank from which the carton dispenser in FIGURE 10 may .be constructed;

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of FIGURE 10, showing the lid panel in an VFIGURE 13 but with the free end porti-on of the strip of material being shown as leaving from the top of the supply r-oll;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary upper end corner of the Vfront panel as viewed from the line 15-15 in FIGURE 12 showing a paperboard corner tab having a notched edge functioning as the start-tear means;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary view showing a short section of a tear-tooth strip functioning as the start-tear means;

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary view showing an abrasive-glue area extending over and about the blank paperboard dispensing edge Ifunctioning as the start-tear means; and

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary View, partly in section, showing a metal staple functioning as the start-tear means.

With reference to the drawings, my hand-held carton dispenser comprises substantially an elongated square box having an elongated front panel 21, a rear panel 22 and a bottom panel 23. The end panels of the box are identied by the reference characters 24 and v25, respectively. The top peripheral edge of the elongated box defines an elongated opening through which the supply roll is mounted in the box and from which the free end portion of the supply roll is withdrawn. The opening is adapted to be closed by a lid panel 26 having a flange panel 27 disposed (spotglued) against the outer surface of the front panel 21 to facilitate easy opening of the box. The glue spots are identified by the reference character 28.

The lid panel 26 and the flange panel 27 are hingedly connected together along a score or crease line 30 which when folded becomes an elongated common hinge-comer 30. Also, the lid panel 26 and the rear panel 22 are hingedly connected together along a score or crease line 31 which when folded becomes an elongated common hinge-corner 31. In FIGURE 2, the score or crease Vlines which form the corners of the box are shown by d-ot-dash lines.

The end panels 24 and 25 of the box are identically constructed and each comprises two inside end flaps 32 and 33 and an outside end flap 34, all being folded and glued together. The outside end Hap 34 is provided with a top vmarginal edge portion 35 which is folded over the top of the inside flaps 32 and 33 Where it may then extend as a short flange flap int-o the box above the supply roll. As an alternative, the top marginal edge portion 3S may be glued to the top marginal edge of the inside of the end flaps to form a sturdy top foldable edge for supporting the end porti-ons of the lid panel when closed. The construction of the box th-us far described is rather common.

The foil or other sheet material which is to be dispensed is wound on a hollow supply roll 36.l As the free end portion of the strip of material is withdrawn from the box, the supply roll 36 is caused to unwind by rotating within the box. It is preferable t-o stabilize the supply roll within the box as it is being lunwound. For this purpose the inside flaps 33 on each end of the box are respectively provided with hinged tabs 40 which are disposed to extend into the open ends of the hollow supply roll, see FIGURE 3. The hinged tabs 40 stabilize the supply roll within the box and :operate to keep the supply roll from elevating itself within the box when'the free end portion of thestrip of material is 'being withdrawn from the roll.

The dispensing operati-on may be first explained with reference to FIGURES 3 and 4. The FIGURE 3 shows the condition of the carton dispenser as it is shipped before :being used. In opening the carton dispenser, the flange panel 27 is `first separated from the front panel 21 by pulling outwardly on same until all the glue spots 28 are broken, after which the lid panel 26 and the flange panel 27 are reversibly folded respectively against the outer surface of the rear panel 22 and of the bottom panel 23, see FIGURE 4. The reversible folding of the lid panel 26 against the rear panel 22 about the common score or crease line 31 produces an elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge 31, being identified by the same reference character as the common score or crease line. The free end portion of the strip of material is next withdrawn from the supply roll with the withdrawn strip leaving the supply lroll from a side next adjacent to the rear panel 22. When a sufficient amount has been withdrawn, it may then be severed by tearing same across the elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge 31. T-o facilitate at least the start of the tearing operation, the ends of the elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge 31 may be provided with a start-tear means which in FIGURE 6 comprises a start-tear paperboard notch 38 constructed during the manufacture of the blank in FIGURE 2 by punching a hole 38 at each end -of the score or crease line 31, which when reversibly folded becomes the starttear notch 38. In practice the start-tear notch 38 operates as an effective tear means. The notch 38 is provided at each end Iof the elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge 31 to accommodate both left and right-handed persons. The notch 38 has the property of rupturing the strip :of material to initiate the tearing operation after which the strip tears easily along the blank paperboard dispensing edge 31. The tearing operation makes a relatively good tear because the dispensing edge 31 is reinforced by the double thickness of the lid panel and of the rear panel being folded against each other. When a sheet of material has been torn from the free end portion of the supply -roll and the tearing operation is completed, the housewife then simply closes the lid panel 26 by inserting ing) the flange 27 inside the box next adjacent the inner surface lof the front panel 21. The closed box may now be stored in a cupboard or on a shelf until the housewife is ready to use the carton dispenser again, whereupon she reversibly folds the lid panel 26 and the flange panel 27, respectively, against the rear panel 22 and the bottom panel 23. When the lid panel is lifted, the next advanced free end portion of the strip of material will automatically present itself where it may be easily grasped for starting the next dispensing operation.

In the above description of the dispensing operation, the free end portion of the strip of material was preferably withdrawn from the side of the supply roll next adjacent to the rear panel 22. As an alternative, the free end portion of the strip of material may be withdrawn from the top of the supply roll as shown in FIGURE 5,'whereby after a strip has been torn off, the next advanced free end portion thereof will automatically present itself above the supply roll where it may be easily grasped for starting the next dispensing operation.

FIGURE 7 shows the start-tear means comprising a short section of a conventional metal tear-tooth strip 47 and FIGURE 8 shows the start-tear means comprising an abrasive glue area identified by the reference character 48. The abrasive glue area is spread over the dispensing edge 31 as well as over a portion of the underneath side (inner surface) of the lid panel and a portion of the inner surface of the back panel 22. In FIGURE 9, the starttear means comprises a metal staple 39 which may be provided with corrugations, nicks or indentations to give it the property of rupturing the strip of material to initiate at least the start of the tearing operation.

The FIGURES 10-18 show a modification of the carton dispenser in that a truss panel 41 has been added. Unless otherwise indicated, corresponding parts in FIGURES -18 are identified by the same reference character as in FIGURES 1-9. Preferably the truss panel 41 is about the same size (slightly less in length) as the front panel. The width of the truss panel 41 is of such a dimension that it may tangentially engage a side of the supply roll and then preferably extend a short distance therebeyond. As illustrated, the truss panel 41 is hingedly connected to the front panel 21 along a common score or crease line 42 which, when folded, becomes an elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge 42, bearing the same reference character as the common score or crease line. A paperboard start-tear notch 43 is `provided at each end of the dispensing edge 42, see FIGURE l0. These notches 43 function the same as the notches 38 and are provided in the paperboard blank of FIGURE 1l at the time of manufacture by cutting out the corner 43, which when folded becomes the notch 43.

In FIGURE l2, the supply roll is mounted in the box with the free end portion of the strip leaving the supply roll on the side thereof next adjacent to the truss panel 41. The lid panel 26 in FIGURE l2 is shown in its open position with the flange panel 27 having been previously separated from the front panel 21 by rupturing the glue spots 23. In FIGURE 12, after the free end portion of the strip of material has been withdrawn a few inches (2 or 3), the lid panel 26 may be reclosed by tucking in the flange panel 27 next to the truss panel 41 with the strip of material disposed therebetween, see FIGURE 13. The withdrawn strip of material may now be further withdrawn to the desired length, after which it may be torn off along the blank paperboard dispensing edge 42. After the tearing operation is finished, the box with the lid panel 26 already closed may now be stored in a cupboard or on a shelf until the box is again taken `down for use. For the next dispensing operation, the operator simply opens the lid panel 26 as shown in FIGURE l2. At the instant the lid panel 26 is raised, the next advanced free end portion of the strip of material will automatically llex inwardly and assume a position as shown by the dotted line 44 in FIGURE 13 where it may be easily grasped for starting the next dispensing operation.

FIGURE 14 shows the free end portion of the strip of material leaving the top of the supply roll. When a sheet of material is torn off, the next advanced free end portion of the strip will automatically swing upwardly above the supply roll where it may be easily grasped in starting the next dispensing operation.

FIGURE ll shows a paperboard corner tab 49 at each end of the box. The upper edge of the corner tabs 49 has a series of paperboard saw teeth notches 50 which function as the start-tear means. FIGURE 15 shows a fragmentary view of the upper end corner of the front panel 21, as viewed from the line 15-15 in FIGURE l2. The FIGURE 15 shows the corner tab 49 glued to the front panel 21. In FIGURE l0, the corner tabs 49 have been dispensed with, as the start-tear notches 43 are used as the start-tear means. In other words, when the notches 43 are used, as in FIGURE l0, the `corner tabs 49 may be dispensed with, and vice versa, when the corner tabs 49 are used, as in FIGURE 15, the notches 43 may be dispensed with. The corner tabs 49 also have the property of reinforcing the upper front corners of the box and aid in stabilizing the blank paperboard dispensing edge.

FIGURES 16-l8, inclusive, show the alternative types of start-tear means kwhich correspond, respectively, to those shown in FIGURES 7-9, inclusive.

The applicant has found that a good tear may be made along this stiff blank paperboard dispensing edge without necessarily employing a start-tear means, such aS those illustrated. This is particularly true for waxed paper which starts to tear relatively easily. The side edges Aof the aluminum foil strip are ordinarily cut straight, but by providing these side edges with saw teeth notches therealong, the aluminum foil tears relatively easily also. The saw teeth notches may be substantially the same shape as the series of paperboard notches 50 provided along the upper edge of the corner tabs 49 in FIGURES 11 and 15. With the saw teeth notches along the side edges of the aluminum foil strip, the start-tear means may be dispensed with. The start-tear means operates as extra insurance t-o facilitate the initiation of the tearing operation.

For durability, the blank paperboard dispensing edge including the paperboard notches may be treated with glue which when it dries will produce a harder surface against which the strip may be ruptured or torn. Also the outer surface of the box may be laminated with a layer of aluminum foil, in which case the elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge 42 in FIGURES 13 and 14 would be overlaid With this laminated aluminum foil producing a smooth semi-circular crown surface against which the strip of aluminum foil or waxed paper may easily be torn.

In the present invention, the blank paperboard dispensing edge is partly rendered stiff and sturdy by reason of the double thickness resulting from the folding of two adjacent panels with respect to each other. In the case of the dispensing edge in FIGURES 4 and 5, this stiffness is further augmented by reason of the fact that the flange panel 27 is hooked or folded under the bottom panel 23. The juxtaposition of the panels causes the lid panel 26 to function as a truss panel for reinforcing the elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge.

The hooking of the folded ange panel 27 under the bottom panel 23 makes the truss effect of the lid panel 26 all the more pronounced, to the end that the elongated blank of paperboard dispensing edge is rendered extra stiff. A truss is usually in the form of a triangle, such as the truss panel 41 in FIGURES 12-14. However, the hooked flange panel 27 under the bottom panel appears to give a corresponding triangular effect and thus in this application, the lid panel 26 in its reversibly folded position may Iproperly be characterized as a truss panel.

In the case of the dispensing edge 42 in FIGURES l2, 13 and 14, this stiffness is further yaugmented by reason of the fact that the truss panel-41 is disposed at an angle to the front panel 21 and functions as a brace to reinforce the dispensing edge. In both embodiments, the dispensing edge, due to the truss panels, is rendered rather stiff as compared to that afforded by a panel of single thickness. The added stiffness plays a part in producing an easier tearing operation.

The elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge comprises a substantially semi-circular crown surface against which the strip of material is torn. The diameter of the substantially semi-circular crown surface is substantially the same as the double panel thickness. The wall thickness of a single panel of paperboard is preferably in the neighborhood of approximately .024 inch and the diameter of the semi-circular crown surface is thus approximately .048 inch. This wide dispensing or tearing edge of double wall thickness would ordinarily be considered as producing detrimental results as compared to a thinner or sharper dispensing or tearing edge. To the contrary, .applicant has found that the wide dispensing or tearing edge is useful, particularly in severing aluminum foil and waxed paper.' Actually the tearing operation is easier, contrary to what one would expect. In operation, the foil strip or waxed paper which -is to be vtorn may be considered as `first contacting the substantially crown semi-circular surface .at a place corresponding to about 9 oclock and as leaving the surface at a place corresponding to about 3 oclock. The summit of the crown surface over which the foil strip or waxed paper passes is at a place corresponding to about 12 oclock. The tear, or rupture, usually occurs at a pla-ce corresponding lt-o about 2 oclock. With the wide dispensing or tearing edge, the foil at the instant prior to the rupture has an opportunity to stretch from about the 9 oclock place to about the 3 oclock place,

the weakestpoint occurring at about the 2 oclock place. It seems that the stretching makes the foil easier to tear. The tearing operation leaves a slightly rounded flange (from 9 oclock to about 2 oclock) on the torn edge of the foil and this seems to make the severed foil strip more manageable to handle.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as Well as that of the foregoing description. s

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and .arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A carton dispenser constructed of paperboard and having an elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge of double panel thickness to facilitate an operation of tearing a sheet of material from the free end portion -of a strip of material wound on a supply roll mounted Within -the carton dispenser, said tearing operation leaving said strip of material with a torn edge constituting the beginning of a next advanced free end portion, said carton dispenser comprising an elongated hollow box into which said supply roll may be mounted and from which the free end portion of said strip of material may be wi-thdrawn, said box including at least a rear side wall panel and a lid panel joined together along a common score line, said lid panel comprising a truss panel folded along said common score line in a juxtaposed relationship with said rear side wall panel and effecting with said rear side wall panel said elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge of double panel thickness, said elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge comprising a substantially semi-circular crown surface against which said strip of material is torn, said truss panel reinforcing said elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge to render it stitf whereupon a sheet of material may be torn therealong from a free end portion of a withdrawn strip.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said elongated blank paperboard ldispensing edge has provided thereon at least start-tear means comprising staple means to facilitate at least the initiation of the tearing operation.

3. 'I'he structure of claim 1, wherein said supply roll is disposed in said box with said free end portion of said strip -of material leaving said supply roll from a ,side thereof next adjacent to said rear side panel.

ing said strip of material with a torn edge constituting the beginning of a next advanced free end portion, said carton dispenser comprising an elongated hollow box into which said supply roll may be mounted and from which the free end portion of said strip of material may be withdrawn, said box including at least rst and second elongated adjacent paperboard panels joined together along a common score line, said second panel comprising a truss panel folded along said common score line in a juxtaposed relationship with said rst panel and effecting with said first panel said elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge of double panel thickness, lsaid elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge comprising a substantially semi-circular crown surface against which said strip of material is torn, said truss panel reinforcing said elongated blank paperboard dispensing edge to render it stiff whereupon a sheet of material may be torn therealong from a free end portion of Ia withdrawn strip, said substantially semi-circular crown surface having an overlay of laminated aluminum foil.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,897,143 2/ 1933 Powell 22S-52 X 1,905,561 4/1933 Gluck 225-52 X 1,939,812 12/1933 Harnersley 225-91 X 1,969,625 8/1934 Scarpa 22S-52 2,189,533 2/1940 Harvey 22S-49 2,458,844 1/1949 Foote 22S- 48 X 2,633,985 4/1953 Meyer 22S-48 X 2,776,052 1/1957 Stevens 22S-46 2,779,526 1/ 1957 Vogt.

3,227,340 1/1966 Haley 225--52 X WILLIAM W. DYER, IR., Primary Examiner.

I.. M. MEISTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CARTON DISPENSER CONSTRUCTED OF PAPERBOARD AND HAVING AN ELONGATED BLANK PAPERBOARD DISPENSING EDGE OF DOUBLE PANEL THICKNESS TO FACILITATE AN OPERATION OF TEARING A SHEET OF MATERIAL FROM THE FREE END PORTION OF A STRIP OF MATERIAL WOUND ON A SUPPLY ROLL MOUNTED WITHIN THE CARTON DISPENSER, SAID TEARING OPERATION LEAVING SAID STRIP OF MATERIAL WITH A TORN EDGE CONSTITUTING THE BEGINNING OF A NEXT ADVANCED FREE END PORTION, SAID CARTON DISPENSER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HOLLOW BOX INTO WHICH SAID SUPPLY ROLL MAY BE MOUNTED AND FROM WHICH THE FREE END PORTION OF SAID STRIP OF MATERIAL MAY BE WITHDRAWN, SAID BOX INCLUDING AT LEAST A REAR SIDE WALL PANEL AND A LID PANEL JOINED TOGETHER ALONG A COMMON SCORE LINE, SAID LID PANEL COMPRISING A TRUSS PANEL FOLDED ALONG SAID COMMON SCORE LINE IN A JUXTAPOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID REAR SIDE WALL PANEL AND EFFECTING WITH SAID REAR SIDE WALL PANEL SAID ELONGATED BLANK PAPERBOARD DISPENSING EDGE OF DOUBLE PANEL THICKNESS, SAID ELONGATED BLANK PAPERBOARD DISPENSING EDGE COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY SEMI-CIRCULAR CROWN SURFACE AGAINST WHICH SAID STRIP OF MATERIAL IS TORN, SAID TRUSS PANEL REINFORCING SAID ELONGATED BLANK PAPERBOARD DISPENSING EDGE TO RENDER IT STIFF WHEREUPON A SHEET OF MATERIAL MAY BE TORN THEREALONG FROM THE FREE END PORTION OF A WITHDRAWN STRIP. 